by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (6/18/2013) Tigers reliever Drew Smyly, who earned a three-inning save Monday against the Orioles, has pitched well in different bullpen roles. That said, Smyly is still a future starter for the Tigers, the Detroit News reports.
For now, however, Detroit is very happy with the production Smyly is giving them out of the bullpen.
"To be honest with you," said manager Jim Leyland, "this is a kind of nice year for Smyly. He’s getting another year under his belt without a lot of pressure. It hasn’t been perfect, by any means, but I think it’s been pretty good."
Tigers to go closer-by-committee
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (6/18/2013) Tigers manager Jim Leyland said he'll mix-and-match his ninth-inning reliever, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Drew Smyly saved Monday's game, but he shouldn't be viewed as the full-time closer. Leyland admitted he would use Jose Valverde, Phil Coke and Joaquin Benoit in the role depending on the game situation. He reiterated that Rick Porcello would not be used in the role.
The Tigers' bullpen is responsible for nine blown saves this season.
Drew Smyly gets rare three-inning save
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (6/17/2013) Tigers reliever Drew Smyly recorded a three-inning save Monday at home against Baltimore. Smyly closed out Max Scherzer's gem with three shutout frames for his second save.
The reliever struck out three batters over three perfect innings. He needed 33 pitches and threw 22 strikes, lowering his ERA to 1.94 in the process.
Smyly has gone 2-0 this year over 24 relief appearances and 41 2/3 innings. He has a solid ERA, a 1.01 WHIP and 42 strikeouts over that span.
Drew Smyly makes for an interesting add
by Nando Di Fino | Senior Fantasy Writer (6/17/2013) Tigers reliever Drew Smyly is in the unique position of having dual-speculative value. On one hand, if Anibal Sanchez needs to go on the DL, Smyly could take his spot in the rotation. However, with Jose Valverde's grip on the closer job loosening a bit lately (and Jose Alvarez making the last spot start for Sanchez), Smyly could also find himself as a darkhorse closer candidate.
Two weeks ago, the Tigers adjusted Smyly's role from long relief to more late-inning short-stint work. He's pitched in the eighth or ninth inning in all five June appearances. The Tigers were reluctant to use Joaquin Benoit in save situations earlier in the year and their next-best option, Bruce Rondon, is in the minors. Smyly, meanwhile, has been solid all season, and has maintained a 2.09 ERA while striking out a batter per inning.
Smyly could end up staying in middle relief the entire season, but he's talented enough to merit a speculative add for an owner looking for value in unlikely places. Owned in 23 percent of leagues, Smyly could be a decent gamble in 14-team Roto leagues or deeper.
Drew Smyly has bullpen role adjusted
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (6/4/2013) The Tigers have adjusted Drew Smyly's bullpen role, MLB.com reports.
Jim Leyland originally wanted Smyly to be used in long relief so that he could easily be transitioned back into a starter, if needed. Now, the Tigers will put Smyly in more late-game situations due to his ability to get hitters out from both sides of the plate.
Tigers seek model role for Drew Smyly
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (5/11/2013) Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Saturday that he would like to find a consistent position in the bullpen for pitcher Drew Smyly after fellow left-hander Phil Coke was activated from the disabled list. Smyly's workload has fluctuated since he earned a spot on the opening-day roster as a long reliever after losing the competition for the No. 5 starter job.
The hard-throwing south-paw tossed 1 2/3 innings for the second time in the past three games Saturday against Cleveland, just his third appearance this month. His two runs allowed matched his highest total of the season.
"We really have to get a situation ironed out as far as [Drew] Smyly is concerned," Leyland told MLB.com before the game. "He's doing a fantastic job, obviously. If you can have two of those lefties available each night, it's a good thing, but I also want him to pitch. So it's a little tricky."
Drew Smyly picks up win with two scoreless innings
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (5/3/2013) Tigers relief pitcher Drew Smyly earned his second win of the season with two perfect innings of work Friday against the Astros. He struck out one while lowering his ERA to 1.35 through 20 innings.
Drew Smyly not worth the time
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (4/27/2013) Despite pitching out of the bullpen once in the past week, Tigers starting pitcher Drew Smyly has stubbornly remained near the top of CBSSports.com's most-viewed and most-added player lists.
The last time we looked at Smyly, he looked like a potential usurper of Rick Porcello's rotation spot, as he came in and pitched 5 2/3 scoreless relief innings after Porcello flamed out against the Angels April 20. Smyly pitched for the first time Saturday since then, tossing just 2/3 innings. Porcello, meanwhile, steadied himself with a quality start Saturday, and it does not look a move is imminent.
Smyly was worth a speculative pickup when it looked like Porcello's struggles might give him a chance to start every fifth day. But until that move is made it is hard to imagine him remaining such an intriguing option for Fantasy owners scouring the waiver wire. He could be a difference maker for Fantasy owners down the line in a starting role, but it might be hard to use a roster spot on someone who is stuck in relief right now.
Drew Smyly worth a pickup?
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (4/23/2013) With Rick Porcello struggling for the Tigers, it might be time to consider adding Drew Smyly.
Porcello's strong spring gives credence to the notion that spring stats should not be trusted. While Porcello is not as bad as he's pitched thus far, his 6.25 FIP indicates he's still been pretty awful. Smyly, on the other hand, had a pretty strong rookie season in 2012. He struck out nearly a batter per inning and limited walks effectively.
It's tough to chase wins in Fantasy, but given how the Tigers are expected to perform, Smyly might pick up his fair share of wins in the rotation. If he gets a slot in the rotation, he might be worth a shot in mixed leagues.
Time to take a flier on Drew Smyly
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/21/2013) The million-dollar question in Detroit is how much longer can Tigers manager Jim Leyland continue to keep Rick Porcello in the rotation and Drew Smyly in the bullpen? I feel, which I'm sure many Fantasy owners and pundits do as well, it can't be much longer.
While Porcello had a stellar spring, edging out Smyly for the final spot in the rotation, he's been pretty awful since the regular season began, while Smyly has continued to carry over his hot spring.
I certainly urge Fantasy owners to consider adding Smyly if you are in need of a starting pitcher and have a spot on your bench. He has the potential to be an impact Fantasy arm if given the chance to start.
Drew Smyly pitching well in relief
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/20/2013) Tigers pitcher Drew Smyly had a strong performance in relief of starter Rick Porcello Saturday against the Angels. Porcello allowed nine runs over two-thirds of an inning and Smyly entered in the first with the bases cleared.
The left-hander worked 5 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and striking out seven. He also did not walk a batter and threw 63 of his 87 pitches for strikes.
Smyly, who competed with Porcello for the final spot in the rotation this spring, has a 1.80 ERA through six appearances with 17 strikeouts in 15 innings.
Drew Smyly rebounds in longer outing
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/5/2013) Detroit pitcher Drew Smyly fired four pristine innings of relief during the Tigers' 8-3 victory over the Yankees Friday. Smyly retired all 12 batters he faced after replacing Doug Fister for the start of the sixth inning and finished with five strikeouts. He was also credited with a save.
Smyly bounced back from his first outing of the season in which he gave up two runs in 1 1/3 innings at Minnesota on opening day. He labored for 42 pitches in that first appearance, but needed just 50 pitches to complete his sharp outing against New York.
Drew Smyly staying stretched out?
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/28/2013) I saw Thursday morning Tigers pitcher Drew Smyly, who recently lost out on the final spot in the team's rotation to Rick Porcello, pitched five innings in a minor-league game Wednesday, according to MLive.com.
It's interesting a pitcher headed to the bullpen is still being stretched out. I encourage all Fantasy owners to read between the lines here. It still looks as though the Tigers might be trying to deal Porcello and are keeping Smyly stretched out in case something happens before the start of the season. Fantasy owners in deeper formats, particularly AL-only, might want to keep Smyly on their radar.
Tigers draw plan for Drew Smyly
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/26/2013) After awarding the final spot in the starting rotation to Rick Porcello on Tuesday, the Tigers are not considering the move a slight against Drew Smyly. The young left-hander posted a 3.38 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in six Grapefruit League starts during the intense battle with Porcello, but will be used out of the bullpen to start the season.
"Number one, he’s one of our 12 best pitchers. Number two, the fact that he’s built up to a hundred pitches this spring, with the weather conditions and everything (in Detroit), where you might have delays, he can still come in and pitch four or five innings and do that for a period of time," manager Jim Leyland told reporters after the announcement. "I can use him however I want. Most likely ... you'd like to get him some innings so he stays built up."
Drew Smyly to the bullpen could be a Fantasy goldmine
by Nando Di Fino | Senior Fantasy Writer (3/26/2013) With the news that the Tigers awarded the fifth starter job to Rick Porcello on Tuesday, many Fantasy players started discarding their Drew Smylys left and right, as the 23-year-old will be heading to the bullpen. I disagree with this.
Smyly is a hard-throwing lefty who went 5-0 with a 3.66 ERA and 1.02 WHIP this spring, while striking out 31 batters in 39 1/3 innings. He did nothing to lose the job, but got squeezed out thanks to a numbers game and the spring emergence of Porcello. Smyly will not be in middle relief for the entire season. If he's stuck in the bullpen, he will be at the very top of the list of Tigers who could supplant Bruce Rondon as the closer. And if something happens to a starter, Smyly steps in and becomes a great source of strikeouts, ERA, and especially WHIP.
Smyly has essentially become what Aroldis Chapman was at this point last season -- a talented lefty relegated to middle relief, who will undoubtedly emerge as either a starter or closer by June. Either way, now is the time to pick Smyly up, not drop him.
Drew Smyly bumped to bullpen
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/26/2013) A late swoon this spring has apparently cost Drew Smyly a spot in the starting rotation. The Tigers finalized their rotation plans Tuesday and named Rick Porcello the No. 5 starter to begin the season. Smyly, who was tagged for eight runs and 16 hits over his last three Grapefruit League starts, will pitch out of the bullpen for Detroit.
Drew Smyly puts together sharp outing against Nationals
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (3/22/2013)Drew Smyly held the Nationals lineup in check Friday, as he allowed one run on four hits and no walks over five innings Friday for the Tigers.
Smyly picked up his fourth win of the spring in the outing, and he now has a sharp 3.38 ERA with an excellent 17-to-3 strikeout-to-walk total. A good start was much needed for Smyly after he laid an egg on Sunday with five earned runs on seven hits, also against Washington. Smyly remains in a competition with Rick Porcello for the Tigers' fifth starter job.
Drew Smyly drops ball on outing
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/17/2013) Tigers rotation candidate Drew Smyly, who continues to be locked in competition with Rick Porcello for the No. 5 spot in the rotation for manager Jim Leyland, had a chance to shine on Sunday in a Grapefruit League start against the Nationals.
Instead, Smyly fizzled. The starter surrendered a solo homer to Tyler Moore -- one of two homers Moore hit on the day -- in the fourth inning as he gave up four runs in that frame. Overall, Smyly allowed five earned runs on seven hits and a walk and lasted four innings. He struck out five batters and his ERA on the spring is now at 3.86.
Smyly had allowed just thre earned runs over his first 15 1/3 innings this spring before the four-run fourth on Sunday. He now has 12 Ks over 16 1/3 innings on the spring. Porcello, who has been mentioned in trade rumors, has pitched to a 2.50 ERA this spring over 18 innings with 18 strikeouts.
Smyly takes step backward
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/12/2013) Tigers starting pitchers Drew Smyly permitted three runs -- two earned -- and five hits over 3 1/3 innings during Detroit's Grapefruit League matchup against Philadelphia on Tuesday. It was the first time in four starts this spring that he has been charged with a run as his ERA swelled to 1.46. He also finished with one strikeout and walked a batter as he failed to match the duration of his previous outing (four innings).
Smyly continues to shine
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/7/2013) Detroit starting pitcher Drew Smyly enjoyed another solid performance as he picked up his second Grapefruit League win Thursday night against the Braves. Smyly cruised as he pitched four scoreless innings and allowed just two hits. He also struck out four and issued one walk in a 9-2 victory.
Smyly even better for Tigers
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/2/2013) Tigers rotation candidate Drew Smyly threw three hitless innings on Saturday afternoon in Grapefruit League action against the Pirates. Smyly struck out two over three perfect frames. Smyly has allowed just one hit over five perfect innings this season without even walking a batter.
Smyly leaves Tigers grinning
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (2/25/2013) Detroit starting pitcher Drew Smyly allowed one hit in two scoreless innings during a Grapefruit League contest against Philadelphia on Monday. Smyly, who is locked in a competition with Rick Porcello for the final spot in the Tigers' rotation, permitted only a single to Ryan Howard during his spring debut. The left-hander effectively mixed his arsenal of pitches down in the strike zone and did not register a walk or strikeout.
Smyly needs change in repertoire
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/21/2013) MLive.com reports Tigers starting pitcher Drew Smyly, who is competing with Rick Porcello for the final spot in the team's rotation, has been working with pitching coach Jeff Jones on his changeup. "I've been working on it a lot," Smyly said. "I didn't really even throw it much last year, because it just wasn't that good, but I've been working on it a bunch. Jonesy has helped me a lot with it, so it's coming along pretty well." Smyly, who didn't throw his changeup much in 2012, said it could be a difference-maker in 2013. "I've known my whole life I need that pitch. It's just I've always had trouble with it," he said. "I've got kind of a natural cut on everything I throw. After a while, they know everything's going this way, so to have a pitch going the other way would make a world of difference."
Smyly in battle for No. 5 spot
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (2/12/2013) Detroit starting candidates Drew Smyly and Rick Porcello are both fighting for the fifth spot in the rotation this spring, reports MLB.com Tuesday. Manager Jim Leyland came out and said they both can start and he's not planning on giving daily updates as to who is leading the battle. “We know we have two guys capable of starting in the big leagues, and one of them is going to start for sure,” Leyland said Tuesday morning.
Smyly could still win rotation spot
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (1/16/2013) Even though they re-signed Anibal Sanchez this offseason, the Tigers still intend to give Drew Smyly a shot at a rotation spot this spring, according to MLive.com. Rick Porcello, who has been the subject of trade rumors throughout the offseason, is his primary competition."I'd think you'd have to say Porcello has a leg up because he's got more experience at that point," general manager Dave Dombrowski said Wednesday, "but Smyly did such a good job for us last year and you ideally want a left-hander in your rotation."
